SDGs and PPPs: What's the connection?

By committing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), countries pledge to pursue progress on economic, social, and environmental targets, in a balanced and integrated manner. The SDGs are cross-cutting and ambitious, and require a shift in how we work in partnership. They also push us to significantly change the level of both public and private investment in all countries.

We need creative solutions to leverage each partner’s comparative advantage. We also need to mobilize private sector investment and innovation in support of the SDGs.

A good example of a cross-cutting goal is SDG 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.” It is both an explicit and implicit component of the SDGs. Progress on Target 9.1 (“Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all”) would enable progress in access to quality education, healthcare, water, and sanitation, among other targets and indicators. It would also focus on those hardest to reach.

Given their integrated nature, SDG targets address a specific goal while also reaching across others. For instance, when considering a potential water PPP, the alignment with a government strategy to achieve SDG 6 will strengthen the project. At the same time, the project may contribute to reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous water pollution (Target 3.9), and the proportion of untreated wastewater (Target 6.3). Upgrading existing wastewater infrastructure should contribute to resource-use efficiency and adoption of environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes (Target 9.4). Demonstrating infrastructure policy alignment with the SDGs may also help governments attract attention and financing from multilateral development banks and funds.

Back in January, I was pleased to give a keynote speech addressing a (then) new report on Mobilizing Islamic Finance for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships. At the event, I underlined that Islamic finance is inherently compatible with what the SDGs stand for: responsible governance, inclusive and equitable growth, and sustainable management of our resources and environment.

Comments

At a paper presentation earlier this year,I delivered a study on the viability of the use of Cooperatives as mechanism to achieve the SDGsSDGs,my aim was to profer an alternative to government.Mohamoud's PPP/SDGs strikes a balance.However, PPP in Africa should be treated with very careful optimism. Question will always arise as to the truest character of the partnership. How open to scrutiny are their operations? Who are those behind the private partners?What are the terms of the agreement? Etc Importantly, how well are the people positioned to play the role of the private sector etc.
Akanji Ajibola
Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria

The Connect between SDGs and PPPs is at the heart of attracting Private Investments in an equitable, efficient and innovative way to procure Public Infrastructure (via PPPs) . This article enunciates this connection clearly and is an interesting read!

The SDGs and PPPs is models designed and developed in developed countries although good at the heart of attracting Private Investments needs careful attention in developing countries scenario. We need to focus on creating an enabling environment for securing an equitable, efficient and innovative way to procure Public Infrastructure (via PPPs)

Interesting article, covers a lot of points that are also shared in the recently published Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development report: "Financing for Development: Progress and Prospects 2018". http://bit.ly/iatf2018. Noting this report contains contributions from the World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, WTO and UNDP, and other agencies.

Finance for development 2018 UN report: "Financing for Development: Progress and Prospects 2018" http://bit.ly/iatf2018 for more on taxation and domestic revenue; PPPs; innovative finance tools; infrastructure investments; debt and debt sustainability; trade as an engine for development among other topics.

All SDGs of projects should be performed in full partnership to guarantee full benefit , the World Bank
is always making a follow up of such goals to make sure of getting a substantial share of private sectors in
PPPS projects of infrastructure.
Yours Very Respectfully,
Dr. Mohamed Taher Abdelrazik Hamada, Ph.D
Senior American Citizen
Retired Professor at Strayer University, USA

The resources to achieve SDGs in Africa is far beyond any government but the opportunities available both in the private and public space can surpass it if well harness. PPP can provide this opportunities if well understood and manage. Every effort should be made to build capacities for effective use of this tool for development. Governments across the continent should support this through legislation and regulations that will popularize this tool as it is capable of promoting good governance. Efficiency is the bedrock of PPP which Africa and other EMDEs needs in infrastructure provision to spur economic gowth that will lead to much needed development.